Comprehensive healthcare waste assessment system

ABSTRACT

A computer implemented method, apparatus and program product analyzes medical waste processes by determining waste cost information for a number of waste streams. The waste cost pricing information is organized, formatted, associated or otherwise processed for presentation in a manner that facilitates waste cost analysis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority to Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/759,363, entitled “Healthcare Waste Assessment Tool,”filed on Jan. 17, 2006 by Geoffrey Mayernik, which application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to health care services, andmore particularly, to facilitating the disposal of healthcare relatedwaste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Healthcare facilities around the world allocate huge portions of theirbudgets to managing waste. Hospital waste is unique in several ways. Forinstance, there is a large variety of different types of waste, or wastestreams, having very different handling and other disposal requirements.Healthcare waste streams are generally categorized to include solid,regulated medical and recycling waste. Other waste streams includeconfidential document, hazardous, and construction debris waste.

For instance, hospitals employ toxic chemicals and hazardous materialsfor numerous diagnostic and treatment purposes. Examples of hazardousmaterials include formaldehyde, photographic chemicals, radio nuclides,solvents, mercury, waste, anesthetic gases and other toxic, corrosivechemicals.

Solid, regulated medical waste generally includes materials generated inthe diagnosis, treatment, research, or immunization of human beings oranimals. Examples of regulated medical waste includes: cultures andstocks, pathological wastes, human blood and blood products, sharps,certain animal waste and isolation wastes. Other types of solid(unregulated and nonhazardous) waste is referred to within the industryas the solid waste stream.

Confidential material produced by healthcare facilities comes in manyforms. From patient records to billing reports to pharmacy bottles,wristbands, and a variety of other printed materials, private patientinformation abounds within the healthcare system. Controlling andlimiting the hospital's risk in unintentional disclosure of thisinformation is challenging.

Hospitals and other healthcare service providers additionally mustmanage tons of recycling waste, in addition to periodic constructiondebris attributable to expansion or remodeling.

Despite of the enormous dollars spent on managing waste, few healthcaresystems have historically focused on maximizing the value received inthis area. With continued pressure on healthcare providers to beefficient and cost effective, however, many hospitals and otherproviders recognize the need to accurately assess and streamline theirwaste stream disposal operations.

Such waste stream assessments are complicated by a number of factors,however. One obstacle to an accurate accounting of waste disposal stemsfrom the varying processes by which different types of waste streams aretraditionally disposed. Conventional in-house assessments andconsultations generally focus on one, individual waste stream. Thissingular focus is largely because each waste stream may have vastlydifferent disposal requirements from other streams. Most experts in thefield specialize in a particular waste stream. Even within thehealthcare field, few personnel have the technical know how or resourcesto evaluate the discrepant processes and requirements of different wastestreams. Other challenges relate to different state and federal disposalregulations. Such codes vary not only per different waste streams, butalso according to locality.

For example, each waste stream's economic structure is unique to thatparticular waste stream. The unique structure takes into accountspecific charges known for each stream. For instance, haul rates and perton pricing for solid waste, pricing for confidential documents, perpound/per contained charges for regular medical waste, and other chargesmay vary per specific waste stream application.

Another challenge facing healthcare facility managers includes thevolumes of invoices and paperwork associated with each, individualstream of waste. Many facility managers struggle to maintain the volumesof paperwork in any practically usable state.

As a result, many facility managers are relegated to working with dozensof vendors and having to process thousands of different invoices. Thebilled rates may in some instances be inconsistent with the contractedrates, and those invoices may include numerous unexpected charges andfees. Even where administrators attempt to diligently track invoices,they are rarely aware of discrepancies between contracts and invoicesdue to the sheer volume of paperwork and contractors.

Tracking hazardous waste in hospitals is often further complicated by alack of available records of waste generation. For example, facilitymanagers may lack maintenance paperwork indicative of the status ofexisting equipment. Review of such records is nonetheless required forservice issues, such as sharps containers that are worn out, or notproperly cleaned, sized or positioned. Lack of comprehensive andmeaningful records may further lead to hazardous waste being mixed withinfectious waste, as well as to the disposal of potentially hazardouswastes into the sewer.

In one sense, the absence of a comprehensive, “big picture” perspectiveof waste management can lead to inaccurate, inconsistent andunmeaningful waste stream assessments. Conventional accounting practicesprovide little incentive for providers to be more efficient, and providelimited information and options that could lead to improvement. As aconsequence, healthcare providers may be reluctant to spend funds onassessments that could otherwise potentially identify economic wastearising from mistake and inefficiency.

There consequently exists a need for an improved manner of assessingmedical waste processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved computer implemented method,apparatus and program product for assessing medical waste processes.Aspects of the invention include receiving user input to obtainrequested pricing information for products or services associated with aplurality of waste streams. The requested pricing information may beretrieved by accessing a database storing pricing information associatedwith a plurality of waste products and waste services associated withthe plurality of waste streams. The requested pricing information may beoutput to the user.

Aspects of the invention include automatically generating a reportincluding the pricing information. An exemplary report may include, forinstance, a listing of multiple containers being used at a facility. Thereport may further include a waste recommendation to improve the medicalwaste process. One such waste recommendation may include generating aninvoice accounting for at least two of the plurality of waste streams.The report of another or the same embodiment may include a time line forimplementing a waste recommendation. The pricing information maycomprise compliance data pertinent to the waste streams, among otherfinancial and regulatory information. The pricing information may beused to determine a waste opportunity and recommendation. Where desired,the recommendation may include projected savings as compared to currentwaste management practices. After implementation of the waste solution,other reports may highlight the benefits of implemented waste solutionsby comparing actual, achieved savings to costs incurred prior to theimplementation.

Embodiments may provide synergistic benefits by, in part, leveraging andrealizing efficiencies across multiple waste streams. Such benefitstypically include lower aggregate costs, and more efficient billing andwaste removal. Other benefits may include improving operating practices,eliminating or reducing use of carcinogenic chemicals, and increased useof analytical instrumentation. Aspects of the invention may improveinventory control utilization by using improved computer tracking andinventory methods, as well as the elimination of oil-based paints andmaintenance. Other benefits may relate to recycling and reclamationrecommendations.

These and other advantages and features, which characterize theinvention, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming afurther part hereof. However, for a better understanding of theinvention, and of the advantages and objectives attained through itsuse, reference should be made to the Drawings, and to the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there is described exemplary embodiments ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked computer system configured tofacilitate a comprehensive analysis of multiple waste streams for ahealthcare facility.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart having steps for conducting a comprehensiveassessment of multiple waste streams using the system of FIG. 1 to inputand analyze waste stream information towards determining pertinentpricing information and implementing a comprehensive plan.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart having process steps executable by the system ofFIG. 1 for assessing and outputting pricing information pertinent tomultiple waste streams for the healthcare facility.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary computer screen displayed by the system ofFIG. 1 and configured to prompt input from the user regarding currentwaste stream practices, as outlined in the text describing FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary report generated by the system of FIG. 1 andconfigured to communicate multi-waste stream pricing information to auser, as also outlined in the text describing FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary report generated by the system of FIG. 1 andconfigured to communicate realized, actual benefits of an implementedwaste solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A computer implemented method, apparatus and program product analyzemedical waste processes by determining waste cost information for anumber of waste streams. The waste cost pricing information isorganized, formatted, associated or otherwise processed for presentationin a manner that facilitates waste cost analysis.

Embodiments consistent with the invention provide comprehensiveeconomic, worker safety and environmental compliance analysis of ahealth organization's waste operation. In one sense, aspects of theinvention present a complete solution for healthcare waste steams. Thesolution typically accounts for all solid waste streams generated by ahealthcare facility, including, among others, solid waste, medicalwaste, hazardous waste, recycling, electronic waste, confidentialdocument destruction, and construction debris. Embodiments may furtherprovide savings opportunities based on right-sizing and componentpricing. Compliance with federal OSHA standards and other federal andstate codes may also be automatically facilitated.

Embodiments consistent with the invention facilitate onsite reviewdeveloped and prompted by a computer assessment program. The programtypically includes detailed and focused questions, as well as other dataentry prompts for each department of a healthcare organization.Apparatuses and processes consistent with the invention may be used inthis onsite capacity to gather information regarding current wastedisposal procedures. Such procedures are typically stored andcategorized within a database utilized by the programmatic processes.

Aspects of the invention thus facilitate the automated identification,processing and storage of suspected and known sources of waste. Entryfor hazardous waste, for example, may include laboratories, pathology,pharmacies, radiology, surgery, dialysis, embalming, nursing units,nuclear medicine, mercury from broken equipment, red bag (infectiouswastes), and storage areas for raw material and waste. In one example,hazardous wastes generated by the radiology/imaging department mayinclude fixer, developer and mercury. A central sterile supplydepartment of a hospital may generate ethylene oxide. A pharmacy maygenerate antineoplastic wastes, which must be hauled off site forincineration.

Assessments of a healthcare system typically include the review andprogrammatic processing of applicable invoices and contracts. Contractterms, rate structures, rental agreements and invoice practices may beexamined, validated and stored in a searchable format. In this manner,information is input into the database for use in determining the totalcost for each waste stream.

More specifically, embodiments consistent with the invention facilitateassessments that include a full examination of all waste streamsgenerated by one or more facilities. Data entry from the individualwaste streams may be prompted, received and analyzed from their pointsof generation and collection, through the facility to the staging andstorage areas where services are received. This analysis may includeexamining the methods for transporting the various waste streams throughthe facility, as well as the number of personnel dedicated to handlingthe waste. Other data may regard a waste run schedule for allcontainers, as well as information indicative of all shifts for alllocations and service points.

Data relating to facility equipment may also be entered and analyzed.Such equipment may include compactors, bailors, shredders, on-sitetreatment equipment and other capital equipment related to wastehandling. Loading docks and storage areas may likewise be examined, anddata indicative of current waste handling equipment and service levelsmay be entered. Embodiments of the program may initiate and direct usersto conduct interviews with key facility personnel.

Embodiments of the computer based assessment tool may thus ensure thatall required information is collected in a consistent manner and isavailable for analysis each day to one or more networked or standaloneusers. Features of the assessment tool include rapid and accuratecollection, flexible information storage, multi-team use and access,easy reporting to answer questions and fact based analysis. This featureallows skilled personnel to focus on results and leverage pastexperience.

Embodiments consistent with the invention thus facilitate a bestpractice database, analysis techniques and history to provide high valueresults. Reporting provides key information on focus areas whereproblems may exist. Cost analysis and savings summaries provide realcost benefit projections.

The computer implemented analysis typically produces a detailed economicreport that lists each waste container being serviced at a facility.Facility managers may consequently be provided with a unique andcomprehensive look at the equipment being used for all waste generated.Embodiments may thus provide a comprehensive review and analysis of allwaste materials generated in a facility.

Program code executed in accordance with embodiments of the inventionmay highlight any discrepancy between an invoice and a contracted pricefor waste removal, and may initiate the determination of an estimatedsavings opportunity, as well as of an implementation time line forsolutions. Embodiments may furthermore automatically account for localand national codes, minimizing violations and exposure to potentialfines.

Embodiments consistent with the invention may provide synergisticbenefits by, in part, leveraging and realizing efficiencies acrossmultiple waste streams. Such benefits typically include lower aggregatecosts, more efficient billing and waste removal.

Embodiments executing the program code may present data in a format thatfacilitates analysis. For example, the program code may help skilledpeople parse and enter data in a consistent, efficient and easilyaccessible manner. Data entry may further be steered by prompting usersfor what to look. In this manner, embodiments of the program code mayreduce and/or augment the skill required or possessed by a particulartechnician tasked to enter the data. The computer facilitated processesmay thus help ensure that an assessment is accomplished in a relativelyshort time span. The programmatic routine may further help provide anindustry standard that is comprehensive, consistent, compliant andclear.

Benefits from the automated analysis may include predictions of pricesavings based on market knowledge. To this end, embodiments may identifycurrent practices, and use those identified practices to determine areasof improvement. Areas of determined improvement and prompted solutionsmay further lead to such improvements as increased regulatorycompliance. For instance, embodiments may determine areas of potentialrisk that aid in preparation for HIPAA, JAHCO and other inspections.Other benefits may include improved employee safety by automaticallyrecommending tools that reduce sharps container related injuries. Otherrecommendations may promote a reduction of medical waste volumes, aswell as an improved community image by enhancing recycling efforts andpromoting more environmentally friendly technologies. Facilities mayfurther realize reduced complexities with regard to managing wastestream areas. That is, embodiments may provide guidance towardsachieving operational efficiency, reduction in compliance risks andsimplified financial reporting.

Aspects of the invention, while capitalizing on analyzing synergisticeffects of comprehensive waste management, nonetheless may keepindividual waste streams segregated. For instance, solutions presentedto users may include safeguards/processes for keeping hazardous wastessegregated from non-hazardous waste. This can save money because oncewaste becomes contaminated with a hazardous substance, it becomeshazardous, potentially increasing costs for removal. Automatedmaintenance prompts may help assure proper making of all chemical andother waste stream containers. Other aspects of the invention mayinclude automated prompts reminding users of chemicals with limitedshelf life to use up old stock before ordering or using new stock.Another embodiment may include prompting the efficient and timelyordering of hazardous chemicals.

Automated prompts of some embodiments may guide employee training inhazardous materials management and waste minimization. Such training mayinclude spill prevention and emergency preparedness, including spillcleanup. Program code may additionally determine directions to helpfacility and waste removal professionals remove such waste efficiently.To realize such benefits, a project manager may oversee the automatedanalysis to maximize the full economic effect and ensure timelyimplementation of the complete waste solution.

While the principles of this invention do not limit its forum orapplication, one desirable embodiment capitalizes on the structureavailable through the computer networked systems exemplified in FIG. 1.FIG. 1 generally shows a block diagram of a networked computer system 10configured to facilitate a comprehensive analysis of multiple wastestreams for a healthcare facility. The system 10 more particularlycomprises one or more client computer(s) 30 coupled to a network 38.Network 38 represents a networked interconnection, including, but notlimited to local-area, wide-area, wireless, and public networks (e.g.,the Internet). Moreover, any number of computers and other devices maybe networked through network 38, e.g., multiple servers. For instance,network 38 may communicate with networked devices located at a stateregulatory agency and/or a remote office.

Computer system 10 will hereinafter also be referred to as a“apparatus,” “computer,” “tool,” or “waste stream analysis system,”although it should be appreciated that the terms may respectivelyinclude many other controller configurations. Moreover, while only onenetwork interface device is shown in FIG. 1, any number of computers andother devices may be networked through network 38. In still anotherembodiment, the system 10 may be implemented in a stand-aloneconfiguration, i.e., disconnected from another computer or computernetwork.

Computer 30 typically includes at least one processor 44 coupled to amemory 32. Processor 44 may represent one or more processors (e.g.,microprocessors), and memory 32 may represent the random access memory(RAM) devices comprising the main storage of computer 30, as well as anysupplemental levels of memory, e.g., cache memories, non-volatile orbackup memories (e.g., programmable or flash memories), read-onlymemories, etc. In addition, memory 32 may be considered to includememory storage physically located elsewhere in computer 30, e.g., anycache memory present in processor 44, as well as any storage capacityused as a virtual memory, e.g., as stored within a database 37, or onanother computer coupled to computer 30 via network 38. For instance,exemplary database 37 may include waste stream compliance information48, as well as pricing information 49 associated with multiple wastestreams. Exemplary pricing information may include products and servicesassociated with each waste stream.

Computer 30 also may receive a number of inputs and outputs forcommunicating information externally. For interface with a user,computer 30 typically includes one or more input devices 33 (e.g., akeyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a touch pad,iris/fingerprint scanner, and/or a microphone, among others). Thecomputer 30 additionally includes a display 39 (e.g., a CRT monitor, anLCD display panel, and/or a speaker, among others). It should beappreciated, however, that with some implementations of the computer 30,direct user input and output may be unsupported by the computer, andinterface with the server computer 30 may be implemented through acomputer or workstation networked with the computer 30.

For additional storage, computer 30 may also include one or more massstorage devices 36 configured to store, for instance, the database 37.Exemplary devices 36 can include: a floppy or other removable diskdrive, a flash drive, a hard disk drive, a direct access storage device(DASD), an optical drive (e.g., a CD drive, a DVD drive, etc.), and/or atape drive, among others. Furthermore, computer 30 may include aninterface with one or more networks (e.g., a LAN, a WAN, a wirelessnetwork, and/or the Internet, among others) to permit the communicationof information with other computers coupled to the network 38. It shouldbe appreciated that computer 30 typically includes suitable analogand/or digital interfaces between processor 44 and each of components32, 33, 36, 38 and 39.

Computer 30 operates under the control of an operating system 40, andexecutes various computer software applications, components, programs,modules, e.g., a multi-stream analysis program 45, compliance program 46and multi-stream pricing program 47, among others. Various applications,components, programs, markers, modules, etc. may also execute on one ormore processors in another computer coupled to computer 30 via a network38, e.g., in a distributed or client-server computing environment,whereby the processing required to implement the functions of a computerprogram may be allocated to multiple computers over a network.

In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of theinvention, whether implemented as part of an operating system or aspecific application, component, program, engine, process, programmatictool, object, module or sequence of instructions, or even a subsetthereof, may be referred to herein as “computer program code,” or simply“program code.” Program code typically comprises one or moreinstructions that are resident at various times in various memory andstorage devices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by oneor more processors in a computer, cause that computer to perform thesteps necessary to execute steps or elements embodying the variousaspects of the invention. One of skill in the art should appreciate thatembodiments consistent with the principles of the present invention maynonetheless use program code resident at only one, or any number oflocations.

Moreover, while the invention has and hereinafter will be described inthe context of fully functioning computers and computer systems, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments of theinvention are capable of being distributed as a program product in avariety of forms, and that the invention applies equally regardless ofthe particular type of computer readable, signal bearing media used toactually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing,computer readable media include, but are not limited to tangible,recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices,floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, magnetic tape,optical disks (e.g., CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.), among others, andtransmission type media such as digital and analog communication links.

In addition, various program code described hereinafter may beidentified based upon the application or engine within which it isimplemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, itshould be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature thatfollows is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention shouldnot be limited to use solely in any specific application or engineidentified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

Furthermore, given the typically endless number of manners in whichcomputer programs may be organized into routines, procedures, methods,modules, objects, and the like, as well as the various manners in whichprogram functionality may be allocated among various software layersthat are resident within a typical computer (e.g., operating systems,libraries, API's, applications, applets, etc.), it should be appreciatedthat the invention is not limited to the specific organization andallocation of program functionality described herein.

The various software components and resources illustrated in FIG. 1 maybe implemented in a number of manners, including using various computersoftware applications, routines, components, programs, objects, modules,data structures and programs. Those skilled in the art will furtherrecognize that the exemplary environments illustrated in FIG. 1 are notintended to limit the present invention. Indeed, those skilled in theart will recognize that other alternative hardware and/or softwareenvironments may be used without departing from the scope of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 50 having steps suitable for conducting acomprehensive assessment of multiple waste streams. The flowchart 50more particularly includes processes used by the system 10 of FIG. 1 toinput and analyze waste stream information towards determining pertinentpricing information and implementing a comprehensive plan.

Turning more particularly to the flowchart 50, waste stream data may becollected at block 52. For instance, an onsite technician may conduct afull examination of all waste streams generated by the facility. Theindividual waste streams may be analyzed from their respective points ofgeneration and collection, through the facility to the staging andstorage areas where services are received. This analysis may includeexamining the methods for transporting the various waste streams throughthe facility, as well as the number of personnel dedicated to handlingthe waste. Equipment that includes compactors, bailors, shredders,onsite treatment equipment and other capital equipment related to wastehandling may also be examined. Loading docks may be examined, andcurrent waste handling equipment and service levels may be assessed.Interviews may be conducted with key facility personnel. High volumestorage areas may also be evaluated.

In one embodiment, the waste stream data may be entered into the system10 at block 54 of FIG. 2. For instance, a technician(s) may type theresults of a waste stream investigation into a handheld or othercomputer 30. The waste stream data may be stored within the database 37or other memory. An exemplary database 37 may store pricing informationand other waste stream data associated with a plurality of wastestreams. As such, the pricing information may include products andservices associated with each waste stream.

Because the computer 30 may prompt and guide the gathering and input ofthe waste data, the user entering the data may not be required topossess the same level of experience and know-how of an analyst nothaving the benefit of the embodiment's automated processes. Furthermore,an experienced user may benefit from greater efficiency in analyzingdata, including access to calculation programs, previously storedexamples, compliance figures and/or other stored data.

A user may review at block 56 the assessment results output from thesystem 10. As discussed herein, the assessment results may includepricing information for a product or service associated with one of thewaste streams. As such, pricing information relating to the waste streamdata may be determined at block 56 by an analyst, or automatically bythe system 30. Examples of pricing information may include haul ratesand per ton pricing for solid waste, permanence/per console pricing forconfidential documents, per pound/per contained charges for regularmedical waste.

In reviewing the results at block 56 of FIG. 2, the user in oneembodiment may initiate the retrieval of requested pricing informationfrom the database 37. The database 37 may store pricing informationassociated with a plurality of waste products and waste servicesassociated with the waste streams. At least some of such pricinginformation may have been input at block 54.

At block 58, the system 10 may automatically generate a report based onthe results. For example, the computer 30 may format and output a paperand/or an electronic copy displaying pricing information to the user.The report may include current cost information for containers and wastestreams, projected cost savings, recommended plans to improveoperations, etc. Such recommendations may be manually determined usingthe automatically generated pricing information. Alternatively, anembodiment may automatically generate recommendations by, for instance,matching user input and/or pricing information to known recommendationsassociated with such data and stored within a database 37. The reportmay be automatically formatted into a slide type or multimediapresentation, where desired.

Users may implement the recommendations of the results based on thepricing information at block 60 of FIG. 2. For example, administrativepaperwork costs may be reduced by consolidating invoices. Practices formore strict waste stream segregation and government compliance may berecommended. Other recommendations may include providing contractualincentives to waste removal companies, as well as discontinuing unsafepractices and encouraging recycling and other “green initiatives” forenvironmental and financial considerations. Still other recommendationsmay include implementing waste management training for staff, andpurchasing updated containers, refrigerators and other equipment.Additional and/or alternative recommendations may regard developing moreefficient waste removal routes, among other practices and equipmentimprovements.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 70 having process steps executable by the systemof FIG. 1 for assessing and outputting pricing information pertinent tomultiple waste streams for the healthcare facility. As such, theprocesses described in the flowchart 70 may have application in withinblocks 54, 56 and 58 of FIG. 2.

Turning more particularly to block 72 of FIG. 3, the computer 30 mayprompt user input. For instance, the computer 30 may display a screenhaving data entry fields soliciting, in one example, the number ofcontainers in a particular department and location of a hospital. Thescreen may prompt the user to gather and input the times and locationsat which the containers are serviced, as well as any informationpertaining to the condition of the containers. Other prompts may regardcontractual and invoice data particular to the containers. The system 10may receive and store and the user input at blocks 74 and 76,respectively. As discussed herein, the input may be stored within thedatabase 37.

Compliance information may be retrieved at block 78 of FIG. 3. Exemplarycompliance information may account for state and federal regulations,e.g., HIPAA and JAHCO standards. The compliance data may beautomatically retrieved in response to the user input or may beinitiated in response to a user query. While the compliance data may bestored locally in memory, other compliance data may be retrievedremotely. By augmenting the pricing information with compliance data,the system 10 may account for additional costing data in assessing thepotential cost assessment for a facility.

At block 80 of FIG. 3, the computer 30 may initiate the display ofpricing information to the user. That is, the computer 30 may present ina retrievable format pricing information relating to multiple wastestreams. As such, a user may retrieve pricing information that includes,for example, waste disposal rates and per ton pricing.

For any assessment that the system 10 is not configured to automaticallyretrieve or otherwise determine based on the pricing information, thecomputer 30 may receive such an assessment from a user at block 82. Forinstance, an analyst may review the displayed pricing information atblock 80, then input an assessment at block 82. Assessments typicallyinclude recommendations for improving existing waste managementprocedures.

The assessments may be stored at block 84, and where desired, the system10 may generate a report communicating the pricing information and otherassessments at block 86.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary computer screen 90 displayed by the system 10of FIG. 1, and configured to prompt input from the user regardingcurrent waste stream practices. As shown in FIG. 4, a user in promptedto enter a projected waste assessment into a popup field 92. Thecomputer screen 90 may be indicative of the type of display presented toa user at block 72 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary report 100 generated by the system of FIG. 1.The report is efficiently configured to communicate multi-waste streampricing information to a user in a manner that facilitates its analysisand processing into a solution. As such, the displayed computer screenmay be indicative of the type of report generated at block 86 of FIG. 3.The report 100 shows expected savings 102 per waste stream, as may beobtained, for instance, from a recommendation directed to leveragingstrong vendor relationships and consolidating services.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary report 110 generated by the system of FIG. 1and configured to communicate realized, actual benefits of animplemented waste solution. As such, the report shows pricinginformation that highlights the benefits of implemented waste solutionsby comparing actual, achieved savings 112 achieved by therecommendations to costs incurred prior to their implementation.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofvarious embodiments and while these embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants torestrict, or in any way limit, the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. As such, additional advantages and modifications will readilyappear to those skilled in the art. For instance, an embodimentconsistent with the invention may automatically generate an assessmentby correlating input waste stream information with a stored assessment.The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to thespecific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrativeexample shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made fromsuch details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant'sgeneral inventive concept.

1. A computer implemented method of assessing medical waste processes,the method comprising: receiving user input from a user to obtainrequested pricing information for products or services associated with aplurality of waste streams; retrieving the requested pricing informationby accessing a database storing pricing information associated with aplurality of waste products and waste services associated with theplurality of waste streams; and outputting the requested pricinginformation to the user.
 2. The computer implemented method of claim 1,wherein outputting the requested pricing information further comprisesautomatically generating a report including the pricing information. 3.The computer implemented method of claim 2, wherein the report includesa listing of multiple containers being used at a facility.
 4. Thecomputer implemented method of claim 2, wherein the report includes awaste recommendation that includes generating an invoice accounting forat least two of the plurality of waste streams.
 5. The computerimplemented method of claim 2, wherein the report includes a wasterecommendation to improve the medical waste process.
 6. The computerimplemented method of claim 4, wherein the pricing information includesa comparison between operating costs with the waste recommendation andoperating costs without.
 7. The computer implemented method of claim 1,wherein retrieving the requested pricing information further comprisesretrieving compliance data pertinent to the one of the plurality ofwaste streams.
 8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising using the requested pricing information to determine a wasterecommendation.
 9. A computer implemented method of assessing medicalwaste processes, the method comprising: guiding a user to collectpricing information relating to products or services associated with aplurality of waste streams; prompting the user to input the pricinginformation; storing the pricing information within a databaseconfigured to store pricing information associated with a plurality ofwaste products and waste services associated with the plurality of wastestreams; and generating an assessment report including the pricinginformation.
 10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, whereinprompting the user to input the pricing information further comprisesprompting the user to input data relating to at least one of a contract,an invoice and a discrepancy between the contract and the invoice. 11.The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein prompting the userto input the pricing information further comprises prompting the user toenter the pricing information into text fields of a computer display.12. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein prompting theuser to input the pricing information further comprises prompting theuser to enter different types of pricing information for different typesof the plurality of waste streams.
 13. A computer implemented method ofassessing medical waste processes, the method comprising: determiningpricing information for a plurality of waste streams; storing thepricing information within a database configured to store pricinginformation associated with a plurality of waste products and wasteservices associated with the plurality of waste streams; and presentingthe pricing information in a manner that facilitates waste costanalysis.
 14. The computer implemented method of claim 13, furthercomprising determining a waste recommendation using the pricinginformation.
 15. The computer implemented method of claim 13, whereindetermining the waste recommendation further includes automaticallydetermining the waste recommendation by retrieving from a memory thewaste recommendation subsequent to receiving the pricing information.16. The computer implemented method of claim 13, wherein prompting theuser to input the pricing information further comprises prompting theuser to input data relating to at least one of a contract, an invoiceand a discrepancy between the contract and the invoice.
 17. Anapparatus, comprising: a processor; a memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including a database storing pricing informationassociated with a plurality of waste products and waste servicesassociated with a plurality of waste streams; and program codeexecutable by the processor and configured to initiate receiving userinput from a user to obtain requested pricing information for productsor services associated with the plurality of waste streams, retrievingthe requested pricing information by accessing the database, andoutputting the requested pricing information to the user.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of waste streams include atone waste stream selected from a group consisting of: solid, regulatedmedical, recycling, confidential document destruction, hazardous andconstruction debris waste streams.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the program code is further configured to initiate determining awaste recommendation based on the pricing information by retrieving thewaste recommendation from the memory.
 20. A program product, comprising:program code configured to initiate receiving user input from a user toobtain requested pricing information for products or services associatedwith a plurality of waste streams, retrieving the requested pricinginformation by accessing a database storing pricing informationassociated with a plurality of waste products and waste servicesassociated with the plurality of waste streams, and outputting therequested pricing information to the user; and a signal bearing mediumbearing the first program.